Boys track state meet: Versailles’ Spitzer wins 3,200 run

Fort Loramie’s Jarrett Meyer competes in the 110 hurdles during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Meyer finished ninth.

David Fong | AIM Media Midwest

Houston’s Tristan Freistuhler competes in the 1,600 meter run during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Freistuhler finished 13th.

David Fong | AIM Media Midwest

Houston's Ethan Knouff competes in the 800-meter run during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Knouff finished 15th.

David Fong | AIM Media Midwest

Sidney’s Devan Rogers throws the shot put during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Rogers finished 14th.

Josh Brown | AIM Media Midwest

Versailles’ Joe Spitzer reacts as he crosses the finish line in the Division II 3,200-meter run on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Spitzer finished first in 9:14.97 to set a new school record.

Rob Kiser | AIM Media Midwest

COLUMBUS — Versailles High School senior Joe Spitzer would tell you it was ‘God’s’ plan.

But, Spitzer certainly carried it out to perfection.

“First, I have to thank God for giving me this great ability to run,” Spitzer said after winning the Division II state track and field boys 3,200-meter run Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium. “I have really been blessed throughout my career.”

And when Spitzer crossed the finish line in 9:14.97, nearly eight seconds in front of Zach Kreft of Buckeye Valley, he also had the Versailles school record previously held by Sam Prakel, who currently runs for Oregon.

Which was all part of the plan.

“I was shooting for 9:15,” Spitzer said. “I wanted to get the school record.”

And the usually stoic Spitzer reacted by spreading his arms out and yelling as he crossed the finish line.

“It was about winning a state championship and getting the school record,” Spitzer said about his reaction. “The state championship has been a dream of mine for so long.”

And after finishing third a year ago, Spitzer knew exactly what he was going to do this week.

Spitzer also had one of the fastest times in the 1,600 — a race won by Kreft — after winning the regional last week and elected to scratch from that race Saturday.

“I ran a 4:19 at regionals,” Spitzer said. “I was pretty happy with that. I knew he (Zach Kreft) was running the 1,600. I thought that might take a little bit out of him. I wanted to break Sam’s record and I was able to do that.”

Spitzer pushed the pace from the start and on the final two laps, began to pull away from Kreft.

“With two laps to go I knew it (getting the record) was going to be close,” Spitzer said. “I just wanted to put some distance between him on the seventh lap and then go all out on the last lap.”

He did exactly that — and he wasn’t going to be denied, regardless of how hot and humid it was.

“I don’t like it (the heat),” Spitzer said. “But, everybody has to run it.”

Just not at the record pace Spitzer did.

Steinbrunner fourth

After tying for 11th in the high jump Saturday morning, clearing 6-0; Versailles senior Josh Steinbrunner had one race left in his high school career.

And he just happened to be defending state champion in the 110-meter high hurdles.

And while Steinbrunner ran three-tenths of a second faster than a year ago, he finished fourth in 14.54.

“That was a really fast race,” Steinbrunner said. “I am disappointed I wasn’t able to defend my title. But, credit to those guys who beat me. I ran a PR, so I can’t complain about that.”

Steinbrunner has an appreciation for everything he accomplished at Versailles.

“I am very blessed to have made it to state all four years and have the career I have had,” Steinbrunner said. “A lot of people don’t get that.”

Or a state championship, which Spitzer and Steinbrunner can both say as they finish their prep careers.

DIVISION I

Rogers wraps up career

Sidney senior Devan Rogers wrapped up his career on Saturday by competing in shot put. Rogers, a 12-time letterwinner, finished 14th with a throw of 52-11.75.

DIVISION III

Houston duo runs

Juniors Tristan Freistuhler and Ethan Knouff both ended their seasons for Houston Saturday.

Freistuhler finished 13th in the 1,600 in 4:28.62 while Knouff finished 15th in the 800 in 1:59.41.

Fort Loramie’s Meyer, Rethman run

Fort Loramie senior Jarrett Meyer and junior Jake Rethman competed on Saturday. Meyer was ninth in the 110 hurdles in 15.21 and Rethman was 18th in the 3,200 run in 10:20.67.

Fort Loramie’s Jarrett Meyer competes in the 110 hurdles during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Meyer finished ninth.

Houston’s Tristan Freistuhler competes in the 1,600 meter run during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Freistuhler finished 13th.

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/06/web1_060218df_houston_boys1600-1.jpgHouston’s Tristan Freistuhler competes in the 1,600 meter run during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Freistuhler finished 13th. David Fong | AIM Media Midwest

Houston’s Ethan Knouff competes in the 800-meter run during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Knouff finished 15th.

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/06/web1_060218df_houston_boys800-1.jpgHouston’s Ethan Knouff competes in the 800-meter run during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Knouff finished 15th.David Fong | AIM Media Midwest

Sidney’s Devan Rogers throws the shot put during the state track meet on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Rogers finished 14th.

Versailles’ Joe Spitzer reacts as he crosses the finish line in the Division II 3,200-meter run on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Spitzer finished first in 9:14.97 to set a new school record.

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/06/web1_joewins-1.jpgVersailles’ Joe Spitzer reacts as he crosses the finish line in the Division II 3,200-meter run on Saturday at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. Spitzer finished first in 9:14.97 to set a new school record. Rob Kiser | AIM Media Midwest